PP&C Licenses Are Key in Establishing a Global UniBoss Touch Module Supply Chain for OEMs and ODMs
UniPixel, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNXL), a provider of Performance Engineered Films™ to the touch screen, flexible printed electronics, and lighting and display markets, has engaged a major touch-screen ecosystem partner to facilitate the development, introduction and production of products that feature next-generation touch screens based on UniPixel's UniBoss™ pro-cap, multi-touch sensor film.
UniPixel has granted the partner a preferred price and capacity license for its UniBoss touch sensor technology. The license fees paid under the agreement will be used to build out an additional one million square feet per month of production capacity for UniBoss.
The capacity will allow the ecosystem partner to offer its global customer base a touch sensor price/performance advantage over ITO-based technology, as well as integrate UniBoss technology into its own products. The additional capacity will take UniPixel's license capacity build out to two million square feet per month. UniPixel is currently building out one million square feet per month for its PC preferred price and capacity licensee that the company announced on December 7, 2012.
In addition to establishing sensor capacity, UniPixel will work with its preferred price and capacity licensees to develop a global touch module supply chain for OEMs and ODMs, which includes die cutting, tab bonding, and lamination of the module to the display.
"As a leading designer and manufacturer of essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices, we could not ask for a more ideal ecosystems partner," said UniPixel president & CEO, Reed Killion. "This relationship allows UniPixel to leverage their well-established global infrastructure for joint sales and marketing, supply chain management, as well as their exceptional engineering and operational expertise."
"The preferred price and capacity model we've implemented, starting with our major PC manufacturer licensee, enables us to build out capacity without requiring financing that would involve equity dilution or debt, and thereby enhancing shareholder value," continued Killion. "These multimillion dollar commitments from some of the world's leading technology manufacturers also presents confirmation of the unique advantages of metal mesh touch sensors based on our UniBoss additive, roll to roll, flexible electronics process -- especially when compared to traditional, subtractive, ITO-based and ITO alternative touch sensor solutions."
UniPixel has received an initial $5 million of scheduled payments from its PC maker licensee, the revenue will be recognized in the first quarter of 2013.
UniBoss offers the touch ecosystem the unique advantages of metal mesh touch sensors based on an additive, roll-to-roll, flexible electronics process, as compared to the traditional subtractive ITO-based and subtractive ITO replacement based touch sensor solutions. The advantages of UniBoss touch screen technology include higher touch response and sensitivity, superior touch distinction, better durability, lower power requirements, and extensibility to many sizes and form factors. As an additive process, it also promises lower production costs versus standard ITO-based touch technology, including lower material costs, fewer steps in the manufacturing process, and a more simplified supply chain. UniBoss is being introduced to a touch module market that Display Search estimates will more than double to $32 billion by 2018.
"Our two major licensees have been and will continue to be extremely helpful in building out the downstream supply chain for final product integration and introducing additional customers," added Killion. "Along with their support, we will continue to pursue additional ecosystem, panel and supply chain licensees for our UniBoss technology.
"With the printing and plating line qualified and production ready, we are on track to meet the capacity target of sixty thousand square feet per month by the end of April. Our focus is to scale capacity as quickly as possible to meet the two million square feet per month capacity target for our licensees and continue to scale to meet future production capacity requirements from interested OEMs, ODMs, panel manufactures and supply chain partners."
About UniPixel
Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, UniPixel, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNXL) delivers Performance Engineered Films to the Lighting, Display and Flexible Electronics markets. UniPixel's high-volume roll-to-roll or continuous flow manufacturing process offers high-fidelity replication of advanced micro-optic structures and surface characteristics over large areas. A key focus for UniPixel is developing electronic conductive films for use in electronic sensors for consumer and industrial applications. The company's newly developed UniBoss™ roll-to-roll electronics manufacturing process prints conductive elements on thin film with trace widths down to ~ 5um. The company is marketing its films for touch panel sensor, cover glass replacement, protective cover film, antenna and custom circuitry applications under the UniPixel label, and potentially under private label or Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) brands. UniPixel's brands include Clearly Superior™, Diamond Guard™ and others. For further information, visit www.unipixel.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including information about management's view of Uni-Pixel's future expectations, plans and prospects, including its views regarding the opportunity Uni-Pixel sees regarding its new licensee, its installation plans, its financing needs and its technological capabilities within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the results of Uni-Pixel to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. These factors include less than expected growth in the films and touch screen industries; lack of acceptance of Uni-Pixel's solutions; an inability to continue increasing its number of customers or the revenues Uni-Pixel derives from its customers; an inability to develop its technology and meet customer demands; an inability to effectively manage growth; and an inability to adequately finance Uni-Pixel's business. Certain of these risk factors and others are included in documents Uni-Pixel files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, Uni-Pixel's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as well as subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on Uni-Pixel's future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Uni-Pixel cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, Uni-Pixel expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
